As we've already mentioned, the biggest selling point of the Rampage II Gene is its diminutive size, and we can see ASUS' micro-ATX design at work above to make for a truly small X58-based part. Things are always going to get a little cramped in such a small amount of real estate, but ASUS have done a pretty good job here of keeping the design clean and simple, although a dual-slot graphics board will potentially see you lose the ability to use the board's PCI Express 1x slot which is a bit of a shame.

The Rampage II Gene still manages to pack plenty of functionality onto its backplate as well, with a PS/2 keyboard connector (no PS/2 mouse, as per most Republic of Gamers motherboards), six USB 2.0 ports, a CMOS reset switch, single FireWire and eSATA ports, a single Gigabit network adapter and the usual set of six analogue audio inputs and outputs coupled with an optical output for digital audio. Unless you're desperate for two Gigabit network adapters in your system there's certainly no cause for complaint here.